Arlington is back in action Saturday against Long Trail. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff at Manchester Elementary Middle School.

SVC SAAC makes a difference

BENNINGTON — The Southern Vermont College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was extremely successful during the fall 2017 semester in facilitating multiple events to benefit communities of both near and far.

The SAAC —comprised of two representatives from each of the SVC's 12 varsity athletics teams — was active throughout the term by organizing a clothing drive for Houston's victims of Hurricane Harvey, facilitating a field day for local school children, participating in halftime basketball contests with the area Special Olympics group and running a holiday toy drive in December.

Additionally, the SAAC sponsored halftime contests for select home events during the fall to increase fan engagement.

SVC has SAAC representatives for the New England Collegiate Conference SAAC which discusses issues at the league level, and the conference then sends delegates to the National SAAC which allows for student-athlete voices within the NCAA structure, solicits student-athlete responses to proposed legislation, and actively participates in the administrative process of athletic programs and the NCAA—among other functions.

The SVC SAAC wasted no time in getting to work after being established at the start of the fall semester.

* In early September, after Hurricane Harvey ravaged part of the Gulf Coast including the Houston metropolitan area, the Mountaineers organized a clothing drive to aid the United Way's relief effort in the Lone Star State's largest city. The SAAC was able to collect about 48 pounds of clothing which were then sent to the United Way to be distributed appropriately.

* Before the leaves started to change and while the temperatures were still comfortable enough for shorts and t-shirts, the SAAC invited the local Seedlings Program to the campus for an early-October afternoon filled with games and laughter.

About 15 children from the nearby Bennington Elementary and Molly Stark Elementary schools played alongside the Mountaineers while learning about teamwork and participating with a positive attitude.

Seedlings provides a nurturing after school environment for children living in poverty in Bennington County. It works with students entering first grade through their transition into middle school and provides consistent programming to build academic and social skills, creativity, and resiliency through 1-on-1 academic tutoring and enrichment activities.

* In mid-November, the SAAC welcomed members of the local Special Olympics team to the Mountaineer Athletic Center for a chance to play basketball on the same parquet as the SVC athletes and in front of the Southern Vermont fans.

During an opening night doubleheader with Fitchburg State University, the Special Olympics athletes were divided into two teams that were supplemented by Mountaineers. The two squads hit the court for about eight minutes of each of the evening's halftime intermissions—knocking down shots to the applause and encouragement of those in the stands.

* Before the Mountaineers took off for the winter break, they set one more task for themselves which was again targeted at helping local children. The SAAC ran an internal toy drive — supplying new gifts themselves and urging their teammates to do the same. The drive supported the local Mount Anthony Union High School senior class which has annually run one of its own on a larger scale for over 10 years; the seniors work with local elementary schools by gathering and distributing items to families in need for Christmas and the holiday season.

Nominations for toys and clothing items are submitted to MAU, and the donations are then matched up as best as possible to what the children have asked for. The presents are wrapped and delivered to the parents who are then able to gift them onto to kids. Unsurprisingly, many of the items provided by the Southern Vermont SAAC were of an athletic nature.

MAU hosting youth nights on Jan. 15-16

BENNINGTON — The Mount Anthony Union High School athletic department is once again sponsoring a pair of Youth Basketball Nights for the boys and girls area youth basketball players.

Boys Youth Basketball Night will be on Monday, Jan. 15, when the Patriot JV and varsity boys basketball teams host Taconic (Mass.) with JV action starting at 5:30, and varsity play at 7 p.m. All boys playing in the MAYAA Basketball League will be admitted free of charge by wearing their game jerseys.

Girls Youth Night will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, when the MAU JV and varsity girls basketball teams play host to Mill River. JV action starts at 5:30, followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m. All girls playing in the MAYAA Basketball League will be admitted free of charge by wearing their game jerseys.

At the halftime of each junior varsity game there will be a 10-minute exhibition game featuring two MAYAA teams. A drawing for a basketball signed by the varsity team will be held after the exhibition game for the MAYAA participants in attendance.

Southern Vermont Storm poker tournament

BENNINGTON — Are you all-in? Think you got the Texas Hold 'Em Poker chops to cash out in a tournament? Well, now's your chance as The Southern Vermont Storm and JC's Tavern are teaming up for weekly Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournaments. It's a $20 Buy In with no rake, no add-ons and no re-buys — so go big or go home. Top 3 finishers cash out with the BIG winner being the selected charity of the week.

The first tourney is on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at JC's Tavern and we shuffle up and deal at 7 p.m. on the dot! You can register just before tourney time at JC's or you can preregister by sending an email to SouthernVTStorm3@gmail.com

We only have 24 slots open for this opening tournament so it's first come, first served!

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